Adenanthos plant named ‘NIR AVIV’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Adenanthos  cultivar named ‘NIR AVIV’ is disclosed, characterized by unique branch structure and prostrate plant habit. The new variety is a  Adenanthos , normally used for ornamental foliage, or landscape purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Adenanthos sericeus.

Variety denomination: ‘NIR AVIV’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Adenanthos cultivar is a product of open pollination. The newvariety was discovered as a seedling growing in a field of variousAdenanthos sericeus varieties by the inventor, Nitzan Nir, in Kfar Hess,Israel. The new variety was selected during 2008, at a commercialnursery in Kfar Hess, Israel. The exact parents are unknown, andbelieved to be unnamed varieties of Adenanthos.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar has been performed byvegetative cuttings. This was first performed at a commercial nursery inKfar Hess, Israel in 2008 and has shown that the unique features of thiscultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in 6 successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘NIR AVIV’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘NIR AVIV’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘NIR AVIV’ as a new and distinct Adenanthoscultivar:

-   -   1. Dense, sturdy branching    -   2. Prostrate plant form.

PARENT COMPARISON

The parents are unknown to the inventor.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘NIR AVIV’ are comparable to the commercialvariety Adenanthos sericeus. ‘Chris Tal’, having application Ser. No.13/999,888. The two Adenanthos varieties are similar in mosthorticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘NIR AVIV’differs in the following characteristics;

-   -   1. Plants of ‘NIR AVIV’ are prostrate, whereas plants of ‘Chris        Tal’ are erect.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘NIR AVIV’ are comparable to the unpatentedcommercial variety Adenanthos sericeus. ‘Aviv’. The two Adenanthosvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however,the new variety ‘NIR AVIV’ differs in the following characteristics;

-   -   1. Plants of ‘NIR AVIV’ are denser and more compact, with more        branches per plant than plants of ‘Aviv’.    -   2. Plants of ‘NIR AVIV’ have a shorter internode distance than        plants of ‘Aviv’.    -   3. Branches of ‘NIR AVIV’ are sturdier than branches of ‘Aviv’,        less prone breakage and better suited for pot plant production.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘NIR AVIV’ can also be compared to theunnamed, unpatented commercial variety Adenanthos sericeus. Varietiesare similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘NIR AVIV’differs in the following characteristics;

-   -   1. Prostrate plant habit, compared to semi-erect plant habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘NIR AVIV’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Kfar,Israel. The plant is 4-5 months old from a rooted cutting, in a 25 cmpot.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe typical plant of ‘NIR AVIV” grown in acommercial greenhouse in Kfar, Israel. The plant is at least 2 monthsold from a rooted cutting, in a 25 cm pot. The growing temperatureranged from 15° C. to 35° C. during the day and from 2° C. to 35° C.during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes. Chemical treatments included general fungicides and insecticides.

-   Botanical classification: Adenanthos sericeus ‘NIR AVIV’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to produce a rooted plantlet: 30 to 60 days at approximately    24° C.-   Root description: Semi-woody, fine.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Prostrate evergreen shrub.-   Height: 20-40 cm to top of foliage.-   Plant spread: 200 cm.-   Branching characteristics: Moderate branching from base.-   Length of primary lateral branches: 15 to 35 cm.-   Quantity of primary lateral branches: Approximately 12 to 18.-   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:    -   -   Form.—Round in cross section.        -   Diameter.—0.2-0.6 cm.        -   Color.—Grey-green 194A RHS.        -   Texture.—Hairy.        -   Strength.—Flexible.-   Internode length: 0.2-5.0 cm. (measured in section of 20 cm from    top).

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 9 leaves, in the 10-15 cm section            from the top of the branch.        -   Average length.—4.0 cm.        -   Average width.—2.5 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Needle.        -   Apex.—Needle-shaped.        -   Base.—Elliptical.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of all surfaces.—Hairy.        -   Aspect.—Straight.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Yellow-green 146C RHS.            Young foliage under side: Yellow-green 146C RHS. Mature            foliage upper side: Green 137A RHS. Mature foliage under            side: Green 137A RHS.        -   Venation.—Indistinguishable.        -   Petiole.—Length: 0.7 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Color: Green 137A            RHS. Texture: Hairy.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowering rare in Adenanthos and not    observed to date with new variety.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    the normal diseases and pests of Adenanthos have been observed to    date.-   Temperature tolerance: From −2° C. to 35° C.-   Drought tolerance: Extremely drought tolerant.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Adenanthos plant named ‘NIR AVIV’ as herein illustrated and described. 